VLBB - freight or passanger?

Well, I have the previous version, the JLC version, and I have never pulled passenger cars.  I have a nice looooong line of PFE reefers, about 30+ now, that look so good behind it.  I think that is what it pulled in real life.

Reefers or mixed freight, depending on how long I want the train based on how many cars I have.

Very good choice, as I don't think the real UP 4000 class locomotives even had train line steam lines to provide steam heat for passenger equipment. I know of no instance where a UP 4000 ever hauled a passenger train, even a troop train during the war. 

Look at the road ahead for the 4014. Though not many that have the new Vision Line BB will probably do it, an excursion UP passenger train will be very prototypical.

NOT as a coal burner, however, which the current Vision Line model is (especially with its depleting coal load).

Freight so far, although all my locomotives at some point will end up pulling both.

Jack, my only prototypical point was that the 4014 will no doubt pull passenger cars. The topic applies to freight or passenger cars.

I guess you can say I stopped thinking in regard to oil verses coal in future prototypical operations. My apologies.

Whatever is on the layout cause I'm too lazy to take the cars off.

How does that answer the original posters question?

If passenger cars are there I'll run passenger cars.  If freight cars are there I'll run freight.  I'm am so sorry Jack that I didn't give enough details.

since my layout is set in about 1960, I'm too late for it hauling freight cars and too early for it's likely hauling passenger cars.

Oh well, some days are like that.

Art

Oh I am sure I can justify some passenger cars to run with the JLC 4014 that I have maybe a Dynometer car, Engineering car with a business pullman for the "top" brass to evaluate. there are so many possibilities...

Good point, however do you have models of the UP Steam Crew support cars? How about the Crew Car (Art Lockman), the Boiler Dormitory Car (Howard Fogg), the Souvenir Car (Reed Jackson), and the Support Baggage Car (Lynn Nystrom)?  The steam operation never really goes any place with out those cars right behind the auxiliary water tanks.   

Maybe I'll pull some Thomas coaches tonight. 

"That Big Boy is a very useful engine" said Sir Topham Hatt

My understanding was that the Big Boys were delivered with steam heat capabilities. But this was removed later.

While I don't have a VLBB (sure wish I did), I pretty much will run anything with anything.  I've seen things (usually after a scotch or two) that would make a scale enthusiast break down in a crying jig...NASA cars following an 0-4-0 Yard Goat...Allegheny's pulling Passenger Cars, and once I even saw a SD90 pulling a bunch of billboard refers...how's that for madness!

r0d

I believe the Alleghenys have been documented pulling troop trains, and SD 90's could pull darn near ANYTHING in real life.  The again, I love scotch too, so don't listen to me 

Oh, and for the 'answer the question' types, I don't have a Big Boy, but I do have a Challenger and I'm a big fan of the PFE reefers mixed in with other period correct freight.

OK, historically, did the Big Boys only pull freight, passenger, or both??

RickM46

Freight!!!!!

Wait  minute! Jack where does the run beer you always mention get done?

Ray Marion

On our layout only Ray. Would you like to attend one?

Nobody makes those cars in 3 rail, do they? Nor are either of the main manufacturers likely to. Hang on, what about Sunset 3rd Rail? Or 3D printing?

Jack, i would love to. i have tried when the O scale show has your layout tour but always seem to have a work conflict.

Ray Marion

guess you'll just have to lay off (call in) sick Ray

Ray,

I sent you an eMail per your profile, last night. Did you get it? 

I roster mostly Milwaukee Road and CNW stuff.  Although the Big Boy doesn't compliment my midwestern Wisconsin direction, I went for 4017.  I located a couple Lionel PFE 3 packs of  steel side reefers with the add in cars last summer on the bay. Of those is Lionel's silver set of PFE steel sides that I found sealed in the shipper. Those should look really nice with it.  The sound car set of PFE's is on my radar along with a survivor caboose.  I'll stop there.

The internet is your friend.... you name it, boxcars,reefers, tankers, hoppers, flatcars, stockcars, halftracks....... however NO PASSENGER CARS:

Tanks RICK O nice little video. 

I'd like to run some passenger cars behind the BB.  Wish Lionel would come out with the flag baggage car along with the rest.

Jack

   Thanks first chance to check email and reply.

Ray Marion